Getting back to the future.
Well, as cool as the DeLorian in the famous 80’s film, we simply can not go back to the past. But we can be forward thinking and forward moving, we can go back to the future. I believe that starts with ceasing fire on each other and waging war on the real enemy, Satan. Rupert Meldenius stated, “Observe unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, charity in all things.” I believe we would be wise to remember this words.
We must stop fighting about music and baptism, plasma screens and the size of our congregations. We must be willing to live Christ like, and that includes acceptance and grace. When did we become so arrogant as to think that we know the will of God. Who are we to judge the hearts and minds of our fellow believers? I will no longer debate issues of circumstance or personal preference. If you don’t like plasma screens fine, we will find you a church without them. But first, the question must be, do you know Christ? Do you have fruit of the Spirit in your life? Are you living the romance, the adventure or a lifetime? Your lifetime, your only lifetime. I believe it is critical that the Body of Christ get back to Christ. That we get out of our comfort zones and that we are willing to first live as Christ lived. And then witness to the world. So that people will come to you and say “Kelly, there is something different about you, and I want it.” And that we can stand and say, It is my relationship with Jesus Christ, and I invite you to have the same, would you like me to introduce you?”
We must not stop there. We must be masters of discipleship. We must stop simply teaching young believers about the bible and about Christianity. We must instead be an example and we must guide them to experience the fruit of the spirit in their own lives. We must teach them to study the word, to pray, to draw close to God and His spirit and learn to hear His guidance.
We must intercede for those we disciple, we must pray and then believe that Christ will do the work in their hearts. Let Christ deal with their materialism, promiscuity, pride. As we continue to lead by example, encourage them, mentor them, but never stepping ahead of Christ. We need to get out of God’s way and walk beside our brothers and sisters!
Finally, we must be willing to step beyond a geographical boundaries and live by Kingdom boundaries. That starts within our own cities, even our own congregations. That we stop saying, “they” when referring to various departments in our churches. And that the Baptists don’t call the Methodists down the street “they” but that “we” all enter into the Kingdom, into a marriage, together as “we”. In a marriage, it is for better or worse, and you do not always agree. You learn to communicate, to sacrifice, to compromise. And you are in it for life, the two become one. We must be willing to enter into a marriage with the Body Of Christ, as we become one, for better or worse.
Read other articles under the topic “History of the Church Papers”
- A people of Exile
- The Priestly Kingdom
- The Holy Spirit
- New Age
- Outside the Gates
- The whispers of the evil one
- Christian Culture vs. Christianity
- The search for meaning
- Martin Luther
- Getting back to the future
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